TGG - Chapter 28

1 - 阅读感悟

(1) In reading the life of Su Tngpo, we have been following and observing the life of a great human mind and spirit, as they took temporary shape on this earth. Su Tungpo died and his name is only a memory, but he has left behind for all of us the joys of his spirit and the pleasures of his mind, and these are imperishable.

这是全书的最后一段，也是林语堂对《苏东坡传》总结。林语堂认为，苏东坡给后世留下的，是永不磨灭的心灵的喜悦和思想的快乐。林语堂总结的很到位，不愧是苏东坡的忠实粉丝。

爱因斯坦说，“所谓教育，是要将学校学到的知识忘掉后剩下的本领。”苏东坡于后世也是一样，他留下的不仅仅是诗词歌赋，更重要的是隐藏于文字和为人处世之下的高尚的灵魂。

(2) “I have been a friend of your father for over forty years, and although we have had political differences, our friendship never altered.”

苏东坡从始至终都表现出海纳百川的胸怀，到了晚年，对于恨不得将他置于死地的章惇，他仍把他视为朋友，把之前的不合仅归为政见不同，这等胸怀，实在令人敬佩。

(3) After all, the phrase "a good man" is one of the highest tributes a man can aspire to have when time comes of summing up his career and character.

内心要靠表象来体现，但是表象也能迷惑人眼，让人难以判断人是好人还是坏人。皇太后没有受外界因素的过多干扰，用simple feminine wisdom来判断好人坏人。作判断时，注意排除无关的外界因素这点，值得借鉴。

2 - Words & Expressions

（1）heartrending 

（形容词）making you feel great pity使人极度伤心的，令人悲痛的。 = heartbreaking

（2）circuitous

（形容词）going from one place to another in a way that is longer than the most direct way迂回的，绕道的。

（3）drag on 

if an event or situation drags on, it continues for too long〔事情〕拖延地进行 [+ for ]

【例】an expensive court battle that could drag on for years可能拖延好几年的费用昂贵的官司

（4）run its course

按通常方式发展；(病)痊愈。